tracker
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows (beta) Register/Login Games Grosses
Simon Russell Beale Headshot

Simon Russell Beale

Birth Place: Penang, MALAYSIA

read more news

Get Simon Russell Beale Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Simon Russell Beale's theatre career began with plays at the Traverse and Lyceum Theatres in Edinburgh. His first London appearance was in William Gaskill's Royal Court production of Women Beware Women.



For the National Theatre: Timon of Athens, Collaborators (in the Cottesloe and Olivier theatres), London Assurance, Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Life of Galileo, The Alchemist, Jumpers (also West End and New York, where he was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor), Humble Boy (also West End), the title role in Hamlet (2000 Evening Standard Best Actor, Critics' Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance and the Boston Critics' Association Outstanding Actor in a Large Company), Battle Royal, Candide (2000 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Summerfolk, Money, Othello, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Volpone (1996 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor).

For the RSC, Simon Russell Beale has performaed in : The Tempest, King Lear, Ghosts, the title roles in Richard III and Edward II, The Seagull, Troilus and Cressida, The Man of Mode and Restoration.

West End: Death Trap
Other theatre: Bluebird, The Winter's Tale, The Cherry Orchard, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Philanthropist (2005 Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Best Actor), Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night (both winning him 2002 Evening Standard, Critics' Circle and Olivier Awards for Best Actor and Drama Desk award nominations in the US. For Uncle Vanya: Village Voice Obie for Best Actor), Julius Caesar, Macbeth and The Duchess of Malfi.

Ballet
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


TV
American Experience, Dunkirk, The Young Visiters, Great Historians: Gibbon, A Dance to the Music of Time (1997 Royal Television Society Best Actor and BAFTA Best Actor), Persuasion and The Mushroom Pickers. He is the presenter of BBC Four's Sacred Music.


Films
My Week with Marilyn, The Deep Blue Sea, The Gathering, Alice in Wonderland, An Ideal Husband, The Temptation of Franz Schubert and Hamlet.


Radio
Extensive recording credits, including The Complete George Smiley, War and Peace; Oscar in The Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Sisterhood, Waiting for Godot, Art and A Dance to the Music of Time.


Narrations

Several books, three roles for the Shakespeare CD Series, and a 10-part television series on The National Trust. Also a 10-part series on The National Trust and presenter of Sacred Victoria, Symphony and Sacred Music.


Concerts

First Night of the Proms, Ivan The Terrible, Artaxerxes, Façade, Music and Poetry: Auden and Britten, The Firebrand of Florence and Stravinksy Promenade.


Simon Russell Beale is an associate of the National and Almeida theatres, and an associate artist of the RSC. In 2003 he was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the Arts.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Titus Andronicus
[West End]
2025
Titus Andronicus ()
A Christmas Carol - The Bridge A Christmas Carol - The Bridge
[West End]
2022
EBENEZER [Replacement]
[Replacement]
John Gabriel Borkman John Gabriel Borkman
[West End]
2022
JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN
The Lehman Trilogy The Lehman Trilogy
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2021
Henry Lehman
The Lehman Trilogy The Lehman Trilogy
[Off-Broadway]
Park Avenue Armory North American Premiere, 2019
Performer
The Lehman Trilogy The Lehman Trilogy
[West End]
Original West End Production, 2018
Bent
[London]
Bent, LGBT+, London, National Theatre, George Mackey, Simon Russell Beale, 2017
The Hothouse The Hothouse
[West End]
2013
Roote
Collaborators Collaborators
[West End]
National Theatre Production, 2011
Joseph Stalin
Deathtrap Deathtrap
[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Sydney Bruhl
Monty Python's Spamalot Monty Python's Spamalot
[West End]
London Production, 2006
King Arthur [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Monty Python's Spamalot Monty Python's Spamalot
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
Jumpers Jumpers
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
George
Candide
[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1999
Performer

Movies

Orlando
[ 1992 ] Earl of Moray
Jane Austen's Persuasion
[ 1995 ] Charles Musgrove
Hamlet
[ 1996 ] Second Gravedigger
An Ideal Husband
[ 1999 ] Sir Edward
The Gathering
[ 2002 ] Luke Frer
National Theatre Live: London Assurance
[ 2010 ] Sir Harcourt Courtly
My Week with Marilyn
[ 2011 ] Cotes-Preedy
National Theatre Live: Collaborators
[ 2011 ] Joseph Stalin
The Deep Blue Sea
[ 2011 ] Sir William Collyer
Timon of Athens
[ 2012 ] Timon
Into the Woods
[ 2014 ] Baker's Father
King Lear
[ 2014 ] Lear
The Legend of Tarzan
[ 2016 ] Mr. Frum
My Cousin Rachel
[ 2017 ] Couch
The Death of Stalin
[ 2017 ] Lavrenti Beria
Royal Shakespeare Company: The Tempest
[ 2017 ] Prospero
Operation Finale
[ 2018 ] David Ben-Gurion
Museo
[ 2018 ] Frank Graves
Mary Queen of Scots
[ 2018 ] Robert Beale
The Lehman Trilogy
[ 2019 ] Henry Lehman
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second
[ 2019 ] King Richard II
Radioactive
[ 2019 ] Professor Lippmann
A Christmas Carol
[ 2020 ] Scrooge, Simon Russell-Beale
Benediction
[ 2021 ] Robbie Ross
Operation Mincemeat
[ 2021 ] Winston Churchill
Thor: Love and Thunder
[ 2022 ] Dionysus
The Outfit
[ 2022 ] Roy
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
[ 2025 ] Sir Hector Moreland
The Choral
[ 2025 ]
The Magic Faraway Tree
[ 2026 ]
De Gaulle Partie 2
[ 2026 ] Winston Churchill
De Gaulle Partie 1
[ 2026 ] Winston Churchill

TV Shows

MI-5
Home Secretary, William Towers
Penny Dreadful
Ferdinand Lyle
House of the Dragon
Ser Simon Strong
Douglas Is Cancelled
Bently
Mary & George
Sir George Villiers

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy


winner
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy

Evening Standard Awards - 2015 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeTemple

Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Simon Russell BealeBluebird


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2012 - Best Actor

Simon Russell Beale, Collaborators

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Winter's Tale


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2005 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2005 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya


winner
Obie Awards - 2003 - Performance

Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya


winner
Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Featured Actor - Play

Simon Russell Beale, Twelfth Night


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeTwelfth Night

Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHumble Boy

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHamlet


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2000 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHamlet


winner
Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Actor in a Musical

Simon Russell Beale, Candide

Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeOthello

Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Simon Russell BealeTroilus And Cressida, RSC

Olivier Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role

Simon Russell BealeMan Of Mode, Restoration, Playing With Trains and Some Americans Abroad

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Musical

Richard Kagan, Leader of the Pack

Videos

More Videos

News


Alan Cumming Will Lead First Season as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatr Photo
Alan Cumming Will Lead First Season as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2025

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director, Alan Cumming has announced his highly anticipated inaugural season of exciting programming for 2026, which will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the celebrated Scottish Highland Theatre.
Ira Levine's DEATHTRAP to Open at FreeFall Theatre in October Photo
Ira Levine's DEATHTRAP to Open at FreeFall Theatre in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2025

freeFall will continue their 25/26 season with Ira Levin's Deathtrap. Deathtrap provides twists and turns of devilish cleverness, and offers hilariously sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be spellbound until the very last moment.
Review: THE HARDER THEY COME, Theatre Royal Stratford East Photo
Review: THE HARDER THEY COME, Theatre Royal Stratford East
by Franco Milazzo - Sep 24, 2025

One minute you’re in an East London street, the next you are immediately transported to early-1970s Kingston: the style, the sounds, the rhythms, the smell of ambition and frustration. The Harder They Come at Stratford East is a vivid, energetic production that honours the cult classic film while breathing new life into it.
Cast Set for Production of DEATHTRAP at FreeFall Theatre Photo
Cast Set for Production of DEATHTRAP at FreeFall Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2025

FreeFall will continue its  25/26 season with Ira Levin's Deathtrap. Learn more about Deathtrap and see how to purchase tickets to upcoming performances here!
Review: TITUS ANDRONICUS, Hampstead Theatre Photo
Review: TITUS ANDRONICUS, Hampstead Theatre
by Franco Milazzo - Sep 23, 2025

Hampstead Theatre has seen its fair share of gore. Even so, Max Webster’s Titus Andronicus leaves the boards drenched in something more caustic than fake blood: the acid tang of a civilisation eating itself. Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy is a grotesque feast, and here it’s served up with relish.
Review Roundup: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Opens in Theaters Friday Photo
Review Roundup: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Opens in Theaters Friday
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 11, 2025

This Friday, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will debut in theaters. Ahead of its release, critics have shared their thoughts on the conclusion of the beloved franchise. Find out what the critics are saying in our roundup here!
Photos: Elizabeth McGovern, Donna Murphy, & More Attend New York Premiere of DOWNTON Photo
Photos: Elizabeth McGovern, Donna Murphy, & More Attend New York Premiere of DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 10, 2025

Ahead of the movie hitting theaters this week, the cast and crew of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale gathered for the film's New York premiere on Monday evening. Take a look at the photos here!
Allie Esiri's 365 Poems For Life Comes to Chelsea Arts Festival. Photo
Allie Esiri's 365 Poems For Life Comes to Chelsea Arts Festival.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2025

A star-studded line-up of performers will take you on a journey through a year of poetry at Allie Esiri's 365 Poems for Life, a special event for The Royal Court Theatre, as part of the Chelsea Arts Festival.
Photos: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Drops New Character Posters Photo
Photos: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Drops New Character Posters
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 3, 2025

With Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale hitting theaters next week, new 'Ascot' character posters have just been released, featuring new looks at characters such as Lord and Lady Grantham, Carson, Mrs. Hughes, Lady Mary, and more, including the return of Paul Giamatti's Harold. Check them out here!
Simon Russell Beale Departs the RSC's TITUS ANDRONICUS Photo
Simon Russell Beale Departs the RSC's TITUS ANDRONICUS
by Stephi Wild - Sep 3, 2025

Due to ill health, Simon Russell Beale has departed the previously announced RSC / Hampstead Theatre production of Titus Andronicus. John Hodgkinson will step in.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 6, 2025- OH, MARY! Welcomes Jinkx Monsoon and More Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 6, 2025- OH, MARY! Welcomes Jinkx Monsoon and More
by - Aug 6, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 6, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours
Full Cast Set For London Transfer of TITUS ANDRONICUS With Simon Russell Beale Photo
Full Cast Set For London Transfer of TITUS ANDRONICUS With Simon Russell Beale
by Stephi Wild - Aug 5, 2025

Full casting has been announced for the acclaimed RSC production of Titus Andronicus which transfers to Hampstead Theatre for a strictly limited London run.
Photos: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Character Posters Photo
Photos: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Character Posters
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 17, 2025

Character posters have just been released for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, featuring new looks at fan-favorite characters such as Lady Mary, Isobel, Carson and Mrs. Hughes, Bates and Anna, Mrs. Patmore, and more. Check them out here!
RSC's WENDY & PETER PAN and TWELFTH NIGHT Set For The Barbican This Autumn Photo
RSC's WENDY & PETER PAN and TWELFTH NIGHT Set For The Barbican This Autumn
by Stephi Wild - Jul 8, 2025

Director Jonathan Munby's spectacular production of Wendy & Peter Pan will play the Barbican Theatre this autumn. Learn more about the full upcoming season here!
Video: Watch the Full Trailer for DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Photo
Video: Watch the Full Trailer for DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 30, 2025

Focus Features has just debuted the official trailer for the third and final entry in the global hit franchise, titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Watch it now!
RSC'S TITUS ANDRONICUS Will Transfer to the Hampstead Theatre Photo
RSC'S TITUS ANDRONICUS Will Transfer to the Hampstead Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 27, 2025

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Titus Andronicus will transfer to Hampstead Theatre later this year for a limited run. Learn more about the show here!
Video: Watch the Official Teaser Trailer for DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE Photo
Video: Watch the Official Teaser Trailer for DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 2, 2025

Downton Abbey is coming to an end. Focus Features has just debuted the official teaser trailer for the third and final entry in the global hit franchise, titled Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Watch it now!
1984 Comes to Edinburgh in July Photo
1984 Comes to Edinburgh in July
by Stephi Wild - Jun 2, 2025

Confronting surveillance, misinformation, and authoritarianism in the modern age, this fresh adaptation of Orwell's 1984 fuses puppetry and storytelling with original music and a shape-shifting set. F
Review: TITUS ANDRONICUS, Starring Simon Russell Beale Photo
Review: TITUS ANDRONICUS, Starring Simon Russell Beale
by Cheryl Markosky - May 2, 2025

In a pitch-perfect production by Max Webster, the RSC nails the futility of violence which resonates with audiences today.
Know Before You Go: OPERATION MINCEMEAT Photo
Know Before You Go: OPERATION MINCEMEAT
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 28, 2025

Have you ever seen a war comedy? You sure will if you head to the Golden Theatre this spring, where West End mega-hit Operation Mincemeat just opened. Did you know that it's based on real events? While you can absolutely watch it all unfold onstage, it can also help to be familiar with some of the key plot points...
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Simon Russell Beale been in?

Simon Russell Beale has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Simon Russell Beale been in?

Simon Russell Beale has appeared on London's West End in 9 shows.

What was Simon Russell Beale's first West End show?

Simon Russell Beale's first West End show was Candide which opened in 1999

What awards has Simon Russell Beale been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Temple, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Bluebird , Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Collaborators, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Winter's Tale, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for The Philanthropist, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Jumpers , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Jumpers, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Performance (Obie Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Humble Boy, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Hamlet , Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Hamlet, Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Candide , Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Othello , Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Troilus And Cressida, RSC, Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Man Of Mode, Restoration, Playing With Trains and Some Americans Abroad and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for Leader of the Pack.

What awards has Simon Russell Beale won?

Simon Russell Beale has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. He won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for The Lehman Trilogy. He earned the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor for his performances in Collaborators, The Philanthropist (twice), Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet. Additionally, he received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play for Uncle Vanya and the Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for Twelfth Night. Beale was honored with the Obie Award for Performance in Uncle Vanya as well. He also won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for Uncle Vanya and the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Candide.

Get Simon Russell Beale Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos